Experience
Communications Director, Western Landowners Alliance | Editor-in-Chief, On Land magazine
October 2019 – present / Remote (Denver, CO)
Lead communications for West-wide advocacy and knowledge-sharing organization, driving membership growth, policy change, fundraising success, and culture shift through powerful storytelling about private land stewardship. Launched, edit and art direct organization’s flagship publication, On Land, a biannual magazine + digital storytelling platform.
With Western Landowners Alliance, I am telling an important and under-appreciated story about people and nature in the American West – a story that can underpin a resilient and regenerative future.
Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships/Communications Manager, EcoAgriculture Partners
June 2013 – October 2019 / Washington, DC – remote (Denver, CO)
Promoted to Director after five years of increasing responsibility and organizational leadership. Manage fundraising and partnership development for major organizational program priorities and new initiatives. Lead the organization’s strategic outreach and communications efforts, including all digital communications channels (blog, social media, multiple websites, email newsletter, etc.), publication design and production, media outreach and public relations, and fundraising proposal and messaging design. Write and produce e-newsletter and email campaigns and manage email lists using Mailchimp. Commission and lead project teams, including outside vendors, for video, web, and print design projects. Write grants, prepare and manage budgets, and track deliverables. Manage internal communications (Google GSuite, Mavenlink project management, Trello, and Slack administration).
I managed fundraising and partnership development for a major new program, leading to a multi-year, six figure startup grant from one of the world’s largest foundations.
Communications Associate, EcoAgriculture Partners
Sept 2012 – June 2013 / Washington, DC
Wrote and edited content for organization’s websites, social media, and email newsletter communications. Directed the establishment and growth of EcoAgriculture Partners’ social media outreach efforts. Promoted to Communications Manager after less than one year.
Editorial Director, Wonderdads Publishing
October 2010 – May 2011 / San Rafael, CA
Produced 32 individual titles, including editing and proofing manuscripts, managing art design, and completing book design using InDesign. Managed and directed all marketing, outreach and promotions for all titles. Created social media marketing plan.
Professional Development
Advanced Permaculture Design Course, Denver Permaculture Guild, Denver, CO
October 2018 – March 2019
Permaculture Design Certification, Denver Permaculture Guild, Denver, CO
September 2017 – April 2018
[In]Land Summer Landscape Architecture Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA
May 2010 – August 2010
Completed 5 studio projects in landscape architecture, practicing hand and computer drafting techniques, clarity and creativity in visual communication, space- and place-making, and architectural process. Developed foundational experience in Adobe Creative Suite.
Volunteer
Board Member, Denver Permaculture Guild, Denver, CO
May 2018 – May 2020
Organize and promote events and classes that grow the practice and ethic of permaculture in Metro Denver.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Master of Science in World Heritage Studies
Brandenburg Technical University, Cottbus, Germany
Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Powerpoint, Google Slides, and Prezi
- GSuite Administration, Slack Administration
- WordPress, CSS, HTML
- Permaculture Design
Louis Wertz 